Abstract: A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member. The displaceable member includes a sealing portion having a plurality of elongated control arms extending inwardly from one end thereof, wherein the control arms are configured as a valve closing members for each of a plurality of fluid flow openings in the first plate.

Abstract: A two-stage fluid control valve includes a first stage electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve movable between an open position and a leak-free closed position, and a second stage microvalve configured to control the flow of fluid through a fluid outlet of the two-stage fluid control valve when the first stage electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve is in the open position. The electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve is disposed between the second stage microvalve and a fluid inlet of the two-stage fluid control valve.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece movably mounted to the aerosol container, a flow control valve mounted within the discharge piece, a battery, and an electronically controlled metering valve electronically connected to the battery and in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The flow control valve is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the flow control valve to the metering valve, and a closed position, wherein the metering valve is configured to precisely control a flow of the aerosol formulation outward of the discharge piece. A solenoid is electronically connected to the battery and is movable between an actuated position wherein the solenoid urges the flow control valve into the open position, and an un-actuated position wherein the flow control valve remains in the closed position.

Abstract: A spool assembly configured for use in a two-stage proportional control valve in a fluid system includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an axially extending sleeve bore extending from an open first end to an open second end. A spool includes a spool bore that extends from an open first axial end to a closed second axial end and is slidably mounted within the sleeve bore. The spool further includes a first circumferentially extending groove defining a fluid flow path, a second circumferentially extending groove formed near a first end thereof, a third circumferentially extending groove formed near the second axial end thereof, a circumferentially extending pressure groove formed therein between the second axial end and the third circumferentially extending groove, and first, second, and third transverse fluid passageways formed through a side wall of the spool.

Abstract: An electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve includes a sleeve, a first pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a first wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to a source of electrical power, a second pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a second wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to the source of electrical power, and a permanent magnet defining an armature and movably mounted between the first and second pole pieces. The first pole piece is mounted in a first end of the sleeve and the second pole piece is mounted in a second end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member. The displaceable member includes a sealing portion having a plurality of elongated control arms extending inwardly from one end thereof, wherein the control arms are configured as a valve closing members for each of a plurality of fluid flow openings in the first plate.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece movably mounted to the aerosol container, a metering valve mounted within the discharge piece, a battery, and an electronically controlled flow control valve. The flow control valve is electronically connected to the battery and is in fluid communication with the metering valve. The metering valve is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the metering valve to the electronically controlled flow control valve, and a closed position wherein the aerosol formulation is not permitted to flow through the metering valve. The electronically controlled flow control valve is configured to precisely control a flow of the aerosol formulation outward of the discharge piece.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece, an actuator, a flow control canister valve assembly attached to the aerosol container, a battery, and an electronically controlled flow control valve electronically connected to the battery and in fluid communication with the flow control canister valve assembly. The aerosol container and the attached flow control canister valve assembly are further attached to the actuator and the actuator is mounted for slidable movement within the discharge piece. The flow control canister valve assembly is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the flow control canister valve assembly to the electronically controlled flow control valve, and a closed position wherein the aerosol formulation is not permitted to flow through the flow control canister valve assembly to the electronically controlled flow control valve.

Abstract: A two-stage fluid control valve includes a first stage electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve movable between an open position and a leak-free closed position, and a second stage microvalve configured to control the flow of fluid through a fluid outlet of the two-stage fluid control valve when the first stage electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve is in the open position. The electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve is disposed between the second stage microvalve and a fluid inlet of the two-stage fluid control valve.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid pressure to a transmission system through a MEMS microvalve includes a transmission controller configured to receive a target command pressure, a current system command pressure input signal, and a transmission system operating temperature. A power determination module determines a temperature-related power factor from the target command pressure, the current system command pressure input signal, the transmission system operating temperature received in the controller, and a look-up table within the controller. A power signal module adjusts the current system command pressure input signal by the temperature-related power factor and applies the adjusted current system command pressure input signal to the MEMS microvalve via the controller.

Abstract: An electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve includes a sleeve, a first pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a first wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to a source of electrical power, a second pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a second wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to the source of electrical power, and a permanent magnet defining an armature and movably mounted between the first and second pole pieces. The first pole piece is mounted in a first end of the sleeve and the second pole piece is mounted in a second end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece movably mounted to the aerosol container, a flow control valve mounted within the discharge piece, a battery, and an electronically controlled metering valve electronically connected to the battery and in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The flow control valve is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the flow control valve to the metering valve, and a closed position, wherein the metering valve is configured to precisely control a flow of the aerosol formulation outward of the discharge piece. A solenoid is electronically connected to the battery and is movable between an actuated position wherein the solenoid urges the flow control valve into the open position, and an un-actuated position wherein the flow control valve remains in the closed position.

Abstract: A spool assembly configured for use in a two-stage proportional control valve in a fluid system includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an axially extending sleeve bore extending from an open first end to an open second end. A spool includes a spool bore that extends from an open first axial end to a closed second axial end and is slidably mounted within the sleeve bore. The spool further includes a first circumferentially extending groove defining a fluid flow path, a second circumferentially extending groove formed near a first end thereof, a third circumferentially extending groove formed near the second axial end thereof, a circumferentially extending pressure groove formed therein between the second axial end and the third circumferentially extending groove, and first, second, and third transverse fluid passageways formed through a side wall of the spool.

Abstract: The electronically switchable MEMS valve includes a housing formed from soft magnetic material and defining a fluid flow path therethrough. A magnetic field generating member is mounted within the housing and connected to a source of electrical power. A MEMS valve portion is mounted within the magnetic field generating member, has a valve closing member movably mounted therein, and defines a portion of the fluid flow path therethrough. The valve closing element is movable between a closed position wherein the fluid flow path is blocked, and an open position wherein the fluid flow path is not blocked. When an electric current is removed from the magnetic field generating member, the valve closing element is configured to move to and remain in the one of the closed position and the open position to which the valve closing element is the closest when the electric current is removed.

Abstract: A two-stage proportional control valve configured for use in a fluid system includes a valve body having a longitudinally extending valve body bore formed therethrough. A first stage microvalve is mounted within the valve body bore, and a second stage spool assembly is mounted within the valve body bore downstream of the microvalve. The second stage spool assembly includes a sleeve and a spool slidably mounted within the sleeve.

Abstract: A two-stage fluid control valve includes a first stage mechanical control valve movable between an open position and a leak-free closed position, and a second stage microvalve configured to control the flow of fluid through a fluid outlet of the two-stage fluid control valve when the first stage mechanical control valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface, a recessed area provided within the surface, a fluid port provided within the recessed area, and a sealing structure extending about the fluid port, the sealing structure having at least one divot formed therein. A second plate has a surface adjacent the surface of the first plate and including a displaceable member that is movable between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port, and an open position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece, an actuator, a flow control canister valve assembly attached to the aerosol container, a battery, and an electronically controlled flow control valve electronically connected to the battery and in fluid communication with the flow control canister valve assembly. The aerosol container and the attached flow control canister valve assembly are further attached to the actuator and the actuator is mounted for slidable movement within the discharge piece. The flow control canister valve assembly is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the flow control canister valve assembly to the electronically controlled flow control valve, and a closed position wherein the aerosol formulation is not permitted to flow through the flow control canister valve assembly to the electronically controlled flow control valve.

Abstract: A two-stage control microvalve includes a generally cylindrical housing configured for insertion into a bore in a body of a hydro-mechanical valve system, a pilot microvalve mounted within the housing, and a piloted microvalve mounted within the housing and in fluid communication with the pilot microvalve.

Abstract: A valve assembly is configured to regulate the flow of an isolated fluid therethrough and includes a first valve stage configured to control the flow of a first fluid through a first fluid circuit, and a second valve stage configured to control the flow of a second fluid through a second fluid circuit. The first valve stage is connected to the second valve stage such that the first fluid acts on the second valve stage to move the second valve stage between open and closed positions. The second fluid flowing through the second valve stage is also isolated from the first fluid flowing through the first valve stage.